Elliptic spring



(Model.)

S. GHIIlTElIDEN.

ELLIPTIG SPRING. No. 245,447. v F Patented Aug. 9,1881..

my v Q JnuenTo wad ?lm1im SAMUEL CHITTENDEN, CF VVILLIMANTIC, CONNECTICUT.

ELLIPTIC SPRING.

SPECIFICATION forming part of Letters Patent No..245,447, dated August 9, 1881, Application filed March 14, 1881. (Model) To all whom it may concern:

Be it known that I, SAMUEL GHI'ITENDEN, a citizen of the United States, residing at Willimantic,in the county of Windham and State of Connecticut, have invented certain new and useful Improvements in Continuous Springs, of which the following is a specification, reference being had to the drawings accompanying the same, and to the letters of reference marked thereon.

The invention consists, essentially, in a vehicle spring composed "of an outer elliptic spring and a supplementary tortuous or zigzag spring formed in one piece and secured at its ends to the lower part of and within said elliptic spring, as and for the purpose hereinafter described and claimed.

In the drawings, Figure 1 is a side view of my combination-spring, in which the bows or curvatures of the inner spring extend an equal distance in each direction. Fig.2is a similar view, but showing the inner spring as having its upper curvatures extending farther toward the outer ends of the elliptic spring than do the lower curvatures; and Fig. 3 is a top view. Fig. 4 represents a modified form of construction adapted for use as a sidebar, spring.

A represents an elliptic spring formed in one continuous piece, its upper part, F, being in practice clamped to the vehicle, while its bottom portion rests upon and is secured to the axle, as hereinafter described.

B represents a supplementary or auxiliary spring of tortuous or zigzag form, which is placed within the elliptic spring with its upper part resting against the under side of the portion marked F, its two ends C C resting upon the bottom of said elliptic spring at or near the center, and being secured thereto and to the axle E by means of bolts and nuts or other suitable clamping device, D, said bolts at the same time, it will be observed, servingto clamp the elliptic spring to the axle E.

In practice I fit the inner and outer springs together before applying them to the vehicle; but any other method of application may be pursued, as found most convenient. By forming the inner spring, B, with an arched upper portion I insure its fitting closely against the arched upper portion of the elliptic spring A, and thereby affording material support thereto.

The spring B may, in either of the forms shown by Figs. 1 and 2, or in the side-bar spring shown by Fig. 4, be formed in one piece; or it may be constructed of two separate pieces of metal and welded together, as desired. The bows 0r curvatures H J may, if desired, be formed of a thickness in excess of the thickness of the remaining portion of the spring.

I am aware thatvehicle-sprin gs have been constructed by combining several elliptic springs of different sizes together, said elliptic springs being arranged the one within the other and secured together at the top and bottom by means of straps, which are bent over and embrace the combined springs at their centers. Such construction, however, differs essentially from mine, in that, the springs being each of the same contour, any strain that will break or injure a spring of elliptic form will be apt to break or injure all of the ellipses going to form such a combined spring, while should the elliptic outer spring, A, of my device become injured the inner spring, B, will be very likely to retain its elasticity and afford support to the vehicle, owing to the fact that the bowed portions H J are nearer the center of the outer spring than are the bowed ends of the inner ellipses in the construction referred to, and are not therefore liable to be as injuriously affected by any strain that would injure the ends of the elliptic spring as an inner elliptic spring would. Again, by my construction a more effective central support is afforded the elliptic spring, and as much of the pressure of the vehicle-body is taken up by the tortuous spring, the outer portions of the elliptic spring will be correspondingly relieved from pressure, and consequently there will be less danger of their being broken by any undue strain. By my construction secure a spring possessing greater elasticity with less material and at less cost, and also of less weight, than Where several elliptic springs are arranged the one within the other. It is also safer, in that it provides, by means of the tortuous spring, against the collapse of the vehicle should the outer spring become damaged-advantages not present, so far as 1 am aware, in any construction of spring of such simplicity of construction as that comprising my invention.

I am also aware that a springhas been constructed with flat central portions and elliptical-shaped ends and a spring of zigzag form secured at its respective ends to the interior top and bottom of the outer spring and affording support to the central portion only of such outer spring; and such I do not claim.

Having thus described my invention, what I claim as new is 1. The combination, with an elliptic spring, A, of a tortuous or zigzag spring, 13, having curved central upper portion and ends, and having at its sides the zigzag bows or curvatures H J, said zigzag spring B being secured within the elliptic spring to afford support thereto and to the vehicle, substantially as and for the purpose shown and described.

2. As an article of manufacture, a springfor vehicles, consisting of an outer elliptic spring and an inner spring having central curved portions and zigzag or tortuous sides extending beyond the curved central portion of the outer elliptic spring, substantially as set forth.

In testimony whereof I atfix my signature in presence of two witnesses.

SAMUEL GHITTENDEN.

Witnesses:

ELI MOX, HORACE M. SANFORD. 

